a Tam le “ee yan Va AAO OK Y¥ nr EXPLORE THE HEROES, VILLAINS, BATTLES AND DISCOVERIES THAT CHANGED THE WORLD FOREVER KINGS & QUEENS * CRUSADES & CONQUERORS * LEGENDS & LEGACYDaa RRR AD MAAR ADA DD "VV VV A 4 4 y rv vy) AAA 4 4 TV VV VV y y vv TWIT I IVI III Ir vv y | y 7 |Welcome to HiSTORY Book of MEDIEVAL HISTORY “The Medievalerais often dismissed asa brutal period of arkness ignorance, bloodshed and disease the so-alled Dark ‘Ages dividing classical antiquity fromthe age of enlightenment ;But while warfare invasions and religous persecution we certainly defining themes ofthe period, Medieval history is also fled with intrepid explorers revolutionary artists and thinkers, and inspirational sults whose legacies sl lveon to this day 10 the all About History Bock of Medieval History we explore some ofthe mos fascinating stories frm this tumultuous peri, fem ‘the triumph of Wiliam the Conqueror atthe Battle of Hastings to therutal Spanish inquisition begun by Isabella cf Castle, Read ‘on to discover tales of kings and queens, crusaders and ciminal, opesand peasants, and more.4 L FUTURE 1 rMEDIEVALa cr Medievalhi ios . i ) K Y CONTENTS 8 The Medieval era: PVE ky minis etep iting WARS, INVASIONS CHURCH PS eke Tye Pty vy 20 Arms & armour | 74 Rise of the PrN many asd 22 How to ce a Medieval castle eR ey ny ene) edema Lote pet eer ety 36 When Vikings CET tuled the waves | 92 aa i eRe Ry er eee Conqueror c Ble ceo gts 52 The adventures By as Knights Templar 110 The birth of CP Ye of ary Tyee brent A 114 Isabella of Uren a cnt} etry Pig tattcatcd Fenris CEB Ce gtdPago) Fe Eg By RT Ve AVG BOTA veg pre Shey TT prety Pel Cte g feudalism Peep ingests Ce Ny one enters 138 Arts and Pari et paticu ud BOPP Ee oad eed Cees fet pots Pea eat bE To Sti) a7] Load ina Lots nea Boat yAn age of darkness and light The Medieval era was a turning point in human history where, after the fall of Rome, Western civilisation had to readjust and move forward 1 Medival period straddles the FF middle ofthe thee acepted divisions eff, ot Western history between dasscal N antiquity and the moder age. Its self typically divide ino three sections with the Early period running from rexghly 500-1000, the High period stretching from 100041300, and coming to a clese inthe Late period from around into being, andthe provinces and city states of Germany and taly growing in power. yas an age of religious leaning and ste of selentifi advancement and repression. The arts and iterate flourished in the lad upto the Renaissance. Warfare to changed with the artival of gunpowder, and change in the fundamental ‘make-up of armed forces sw combat evolve, bu stil emain as bloody as 13001500 Aerthe yt 500, emma ‘fore The Medieval period hs the word enters the Ea Tomance associted with chai Modon pated and tiene Cee S LSA ani dashing kights roaming cfdscovery These datesare | MMSUSESERTRSMECCIEMIA the nd wh kings raed fom notsetinstone rier they MRE METRNAER cols upon high Thereaity “Sheetal RE ines ard wor rovsting te antqutyssrapteoatin — QERSEMESCEOM urcscape and clamsing ions Europe with mass migrations, and the Ealy Medieval period is often seen asa chaotie ard lawless ‘ume in which barbarian rulers carved out tertories In the death throes of the Roman Empire. Much of what we recognise as Europe today was tated inthe Meeheval period, with nations such as Spain, England and France coming, ond flies: There wasaslver lining to this calamity in the Lteray, scientific and cultural coteibutions that sll reverberate in the world taday. Much ofthe ‘knowledge we bod as integral today had its origins Inthe discoveries and travels of great figures of the Mice Ages such as Thomas Aquinas. Al-Ghazali and Maro Poo,».,Book of Medieval History The path from antiquity to a Daring a chariot race in Constantinople art broke out ‘between the two rival teams the (Greensand the Bhs Parti fuelled by paitial grievances the mob decried the Emperor Justinian and his wife Theodora and procaimed anew emperor in his place. Aer hearing of her husbands decision to flee, Theodora reportedly scokied him by saying “Royal purple isthe noblest shoud. Suitably ‘embarassed, Justinian ordered the rots be quelled ane upto 30000 people were killed inthe ensuing vknce.Jstnian kept his throne and went on t recapture rach (fay and gow the power of the De he let ~ After the defeat of the (Crasador army 2 ferces of Salad lad siege to the hay cy of Jerusalem, cay to spare the ves ofits inabiants, In contrast to the Crusaders’ behaviour some years before. Saladin Any that coun do so were the city shocked Europe, and two yeas ltr, the tin the ended by Balan of ein, decided tosurender the ‘the Christan population sf they pid aranser, ino slavery. The fall of Eastern Roman Expie “Thi Crusade was called. |p eacer depose (9 Battle ot Potters ¢ Relnot © Treaty of ssint- fe Takemecross ¢ Tirdcrusade helastemperor Rferustany Ghvemagne " Cirsurspte Trefrstcusace Y Retr he Onensesra te Seceann nore Sten tetnen Seadby Pope | Loa nd feof the ves saves ‘ue narthem ts nd Hoare anion | Sogn caston enon ewe Ee one Exepretioys Laub tapumana Reweve rey | tescwesre dose becres thehitobe theCaclngen_seterert Uindieeniewth | smgsottne Kengo hen Grealthepionl — Renasance” Nether race, theatre! | Mie Et The eae Hicineaty Jeeete | edngtatie Session the | Chnacr ec tel enpere ede stay {Geto ee Dy Geaunctbe | Serssen temas Fas Ass, ‘arcane a ‘tNarmey Cader. | ins ands oe Seeconeunder on 9-32 Sexy 732 6 Plague ot ustinian 4 oeathot © tary ange area te 4 the attootvastings © Oxford aiversty AStecardenc Muhammad Novenenatacthe ” Grestemerses Pee ee Teunded pe rs The ene UeetUnasine Ghee eda, ite crm Great tewaits SFreoniround a ean sro he Wee Shawtacotoesesed” emer crest ‘tewemuranin — fanersnd money bere thevig aces spe pecetbatsant gprs doors thenseliedard tune ‘Tonmontte ‘athe roaeout aes asbrgie ders re Gretrsiones Fists fegmne a he bearing haven for tegecraret es ames sine opuitontesimat town 2 lig ge 798 lon 07099) Se mer Feed saver Death of ‘The Fourth Crusade Thomas Becket 1202-04 ‘Thomas Becket was the archbishop cf Canterbury, and in 170, knights Joyal to Henry f murdered him at Canterbury Cathedral Previously Becket had excommunicated some ‘of Henry’ bishops of which tis populay remembered, Henry uttered ‘he words “Who wil rid me ofthis ‘woublesome pres>* Taking this a deste to see Becket dead, his men slew the Bishop This outageous act ‘caused uproar and tainted Henry for the rest ofhis reg 0 Alter the Third Crusade fled to capture Jerusalem Pope Innocent I called for another atempt, this time to attack throug aypl Bn route the Crusader force diverted to Constantinople to restore the deposed Jing 32 Anglos, othe throne in return for suppor. ter sucessfully crowning the ‘king he was agin removed ina popular ‘uprising and killed, With all promises of ‘spprt evaporating, the Crusaders brutally sacked the city, This act hastened the decline ofthe Eastern Reman Empire and widened the split between the Catholic Church inthe ‘West and the Orthodox Church in the East.Battle of Crécy 1346 Fought curing the Eawardian phase of the Hundred Years War, the bate was a decisive win forthe English, Before te longbow’ supremacy at Agincourt alms 70 yeas later, the weapon weld pay an equally important role in this bat and when combined with some eaty cannon, saw the French destoyed ‘Apartculaty memorable event from the battle was the death of fon of ohemia. Having been blind for a decade before the fight the king had his hose tached to those of his bodyguard and he rode into bate and to his death @ Magracana © The ones — andre Yor ‘The reat Carte’ horde dL \ War begins Tiascoan | Teires i aii fageterere fecrbewnenbe | seanmote =e tomboys Ecgoverg om asta tan! miterteiar — Seencacee (rn wlsehe Sem nines” Gaye ae Seoniaast Seuytont | sea Egat rch Siowocts | orsres ingaaeton Sitges" Bape =r here ince lea tom — a a An age of darkness and light ‘The burning of Jan Hus Jan Hus i considered to be one the fist church reformers ashe lived before ther prominent reformers he Martin Luther and John Calvin, Por preaching a predecessor 10 Protestant doctrine that went against the Catholic teachings of the Eucharist, Hus was Tbumed a the stake for heres Five years after his death, the followers of Huss teachings ‘who were krone as Hussite ‘would old of the combined forces of Christendom over IL years and five papal Crusades in what was known asthe Hussite Wars. Despite Rome's best eft, many people in {he Cech ands flowed Jan Huss teachings many years after is death, Peasants Revolt © Battle of © Constantinople > The Spanish Were lasesn Agincourt fae nqustion| ievyotetesto| | Mt Moree (Goer and fercteonesire | cummbere,_ | rene, Fg Fear fontigmawa | RenyVerEngand | teva ete Mofendand the | tes thefeome | Caring | aston Ba Mudsiase | Goteyrsimch | Easemfomn | seater eat Sperechary. | Engiewarent | tn mee eee Commo mmaoe bane comet con See Gch See, | Ee Sra mes owe ceee | moter, Seay oe Serres Sern Egaeoring SEaeich Sh Sn ard and ends his “Atbroath secures Scottish ‘of the worlds Ottomans rout a eee a TR eho ee = Joan of Arc ‘Ottoman forces c 3 invade Wallachia Bor a peasant Joan of Are would gponto inspire te French amy to Victory inits moment of defeat during the Hhnded Yeas War Claiming have had vison from God and his angels Joan was certain of French victory ver the English and supported the asyetuncrowned king of France, ares VIL After she joined the army the French won a decisive victry at Orleans. Wherever she went, the splits of the French were lifted unt, ater being cape and handed tothe English she was bare atthe take aged jas 18, srr ‘After Vad the Impaler srubbed Mehmed Il by refusing © pay tribute, Cotioman frees entered the Kingdom (of Wallachia (modern-day Romania (Outrumbered and cutgunned, Vlad reteted int this own kingdlo ceploying ascerchedt earth policy to deny any supplies tothe Ottomans. With his savagery knowing no bounds, Vlad ima 20000 people in a srotesque display Upon seeing this the (Oxioman army decid against further pursuit and returned home476 -c.1000 Early Medieval period After the decline of Rome, the borders of Europe began to reshape as tribes of wandering ‘barbarians’ picked over the carcass of a fallen empire ‘The end of classical antiquity, and so the beginning ofthe Medieval period, coincides wit the al of the western half ofthe Roman Empire, traditionally dated to 476. In this year, a man named Odoacer became king of aly when he deposed the lst femperer Romulus Augustulss. While the decline and fall ofthe empire is ill disputed, this date ‘serves asa signpost in history for wisere the ‘ext chapter cat be written, With the breakup of centralised pone, the kingdoms of Medieval ‘Burope began to take shape. With the Anglo-Saxon, ‘invasion of England and the Frankish and Gothic ‘ngdoms in France and Spain being establsbed Buropes borders began to change. The idea of rationalism we know today would nat have existed at this point in time, with each modern _sographical country being split into a numberof ‘wartng kingsoms and states, ‘The Eastem Roman Empire ad managed t0 ‘weather the storm and emerge relatively unscathed by the collapse ofits neighbour. ts capital of ‘Constantinople, as well as being the centre of the Geek Orthedox Church, would become a ‘beacon of learning and innovation, and rulers such as Justinian would seek to rekindle the dying spark of Rome, This dream was hampered by a Pandemic known asthe Pague of Justinian. A iran of bubonic plague ravaged Constaninepe the Sassanid Empire he last Iranian empice before the re of Islam) and many cites around the Medierranean, Anywhere between 25 to 50 milion People were lost othe disease, which would have amounted to about 13 percent ofthe world's population a the time, ‘The West had managed to avoid the worst ofthe plague for now but was a hotbed of conflict between many diferent factions. Out ofthe Frankish kingdom came a man named Charlemagne who busied himself bringing the disparate kingdoms of northern Europe into the CChsstian fold In the 9th century, about 300 vests after Rome's fal. the Caroingan Expire, with Charlemagne crowned asthe emperor ‘of Rome, would relive its glory days Through ‘conquest eligious conversion and socal eforms, northem Burope entered into what is known as ‘the Carelingian Renaissance Although the empire ‘would not cutlast him, Charlemagne ini thefoundations for France and Germany to grow Powerful during the Middle Ages ‘As the sun ston the Carolingian Emp another period of strife in Europe was 20 begin: the Viking Age. Vikings wer ame from the Scandinavian counties of Nocway Sweden and Demat, seeking trade apd plunder ‘ter the notorious Lindisfarne tad in 793. these warbands Dazed a tall trough Europe, raiding and establishing colonies from Ireland all the way down the Bosphorus to Russia. T innepid explorers even made ito North America centuries ‘before Cristopher Columbus made his fateful voyage With their long ships being equally at home in rivers a in the sea, the Nersemen coal a first raid and conquer with staring ase, bringing the Anglo-Saxon and Frankish kingdoms to thei nes. Figures like Alfred the Gest \would rise to meet these invaders and la the foundations oa united England a he subdued ‘As Europe struggled with these problems, new and powerful force was sing in the Middle East and Africa: the Islamic calphates The Persian Empire and its successors had held power in Iran and the Mile East for ceturtes but had become weakened by constant warfare with the stern Roman Empire. Seizing on this weakened state. the Umayyad Caliphate, led by Muawiva ibn Abi Sufyan, overran the Persian and held power from 661 to 750, At the height of ts power. the Caliphate stretched from Spain, across North Ac to Egypt the Mile East and Iran. This reat gain In terry i often seen as pat of the Arab Golden. ‘Age From the 710s onwards, Ch ‘embarked on the Reconquista would challenge Moorish supremacy tn Spain. This sparked a biter struggle forthe Iberian Peninsula hat would take almost 800 toresabve le these great deeds were being carted out ie for the average person wold have ben one of agriculture, The decline of urban centres would end self tothe rise of systemic agriculture and a socal system twadtonaly calle feudalism, The bass of his system was that a ruler of ruling cass would accept service from the serfs in the eld i return for providing their protection. Unlike previous systems, such as the Roman Empire. where loyalty raised figure, this new system allegiances between vassal and lord. These relationships would come to shape the ‘very fabric of Medieval raleship uring this period relied on perso An age of darkness and light The ‘Dark Ages’ OAC ac uee Et Peet usta itall doom and gl fas 3Book of Medieval History High Medieval period c.1000 -c. 1300 While the brutal nature of the Early Medieval period was still present, cultural innovations began to look familiar The High Medieval perio is peshaps of British royalty and nobility prured the city code. We se the building of great stone: and churches in Buope and the Mile Ea (Christian and Islamic armies clash in the Crusades, ‘On te noether coast of France, Duke Wiliam (of Normandy prepared for his invasion of England Acting on his lam tothe threne a with the backing of the pope, Wiliam landed in southern England and beat the rival claimant, Harlé GGoduinson. inthe Battle of Hastings, Many of ‘Willams followers were nt just fighting fo loyalty rather Inding thir military service in the hopes fof being aarded land in the newly conquered 2 the Anglo-Saxon ele was «out and a new French speak idle East. There would be as many as nine crusades throughout th following centuries forboth Jerusalem and other cites inthe Easter Mediterranean, These saw the rise of Ienghtlyocdens such as the Knights Termplar and Hospital. Created to protect pilgrim caravans from raids these orders of knights became the shock troops ofthe Cristian realm high ‘While these two religions was emerging from the eastern Steppes. Unde the leadership of Genghis Khan, the Mongol hordes descends worl, After overrunning vast the upper echelons of soclety would pave the way swathes of China, the Mlongol war machine turned ts hungry eyes othe western horizon. attacking the Mtdle East and eastem Europe, the Mongols ssnashed any army sent against them. These eople were ly saved by the death ofthe great ‘Khan, wich caused the invading amis to return ‘to Mongolia to elect a new leader While the east woul fet the ravages of Genghis’ deceder Mongols woul never agai venture further w As well ringing death and destruction, the ‘Monge also bought technological improvements with them. having been documented using the first lgunponder weapons in Burope, They had captured hese fire sticks, a they were called frm the Chinese, wo had developed gunpowder weapons inthe Ealy pesiod.‘Shaking of the stigma of the so-called ‘dark ages, Burp and the wider world could now ‘uneqavocaly ok forward in both scientific and religous study. Te rediscovery of elassial thinkers lie Aristotle inspired scholar lke Thomas Aquinas to combine theologkal ae philosophical principles to create ‘mix of faith and reason, ‘Along with intelectual rogiess, arcutecture also ‘made leaps forward, with Gothic sty coming tothe fore. With onic facades and magnificent vaulted ‘calings, many churches and cathedrals, such as Reims Cathedral in France and ‘Westminster Abbey in London, ‘were built and are now listed as ry [UNESCO Worl Heritage sites. This style became so popular that i even experienced a revival n the Ith ad 20th centuries Not all developments in the High Medieval pericd wore man-made, however From around {950 to 1250, Europe and other pats ofthe wold ‘nduding China experinoed an extended period Medieval eres) spiral stairce TMU STEHT NT cere ecto Eretaeeiene react Reena) An age of darkness and light ‘of warmer weather Asie from being able to grow ‘stapes in southern England historians believe thatthe colonisation of Greenland and possibly [North America by the Norse was made possible by the lack of ice that would ave otherwise have blocked ther ship. As the temperatures lopped again, however, these places became mote inhospitable with the last written record of Nerse Greenlanders coming in 1408. While the Norse vere heading west a Venetian trader named Marc Polo had set of eas. ‘Traveling what is known as the Silk Road, Marco is hailed 3s the ‘man who introduced the malority of Buropeans to the far east of central Asia and China Traveling | 1260, Poo visited the cour of Kublai Khan grandson of Genghis, who ruled China at this time. Aside from exciting stories, Marco Polo vas abl to influence uropean cartography that ‘would aid the exploration ofthe East for the next 100 years While Plo was not the first European to visit the Orent, he was te ist to chronicle his ‘experiences decal, which led to his fame Sauls chivalric code Inge nett seabed tag te gst Now we ae moe fra vath ay borg nad wren oh an ou o be somentot ated spy ‘elton ofthe conc hat ge dt fe Crusades, fore Cesar of Raton woud rpion tse es, nigh in irope were tepals aon ‘combat and idence hth toda the ‘ios ttald erase toga expects Ses cote ane woe rite bted an spect conc towards hon wane Cat Seco ical rk wth Athan sommes wee aes of galt ngs sng eta blogs ptt emanate ‘Gargedby seo i cat love Deco ‘sya ste emance ar pagan ar ge. ‘arama of mat powes Suh sus ed roe, wth kgs aeirgaoos he crane o ‘ply hr ser ana psi wn theo a biyerthe cau “Coy woudoutvethe Mle Age 2 ees eta vans tat contrued gate hey ‘rrowed ges flout cf nr onthe ate.Book of Medieval History figures ofthe Midele Ages Early Medieval period Charlemagne ‘ied the trope ed anncrsn ito sin San and ald Pope Les [wert ocagat fh hb to sve Grate ‘iepipe comed Carenagre epee th amas, Sil that woul Soy hs eptatn as he est ie races amines ging High Medieval period Eleanor of Aquitaine her sors stig Fane a ter eny Pt Eran Among her ens are waaingn he Second rsae sé 2d he Sensi raation gas ete: Henry Ana recone, Svelnpotnc Sh ved no hr 80 nd ‘ved a ut one fer soe Late Medieval period ig eta eae of ot ine aah stone the hin ‘Srane! sen ad faery ere c. 1300 - c. 1500 Although fraught with pandemics and religious schisms, Europe in the Late Medieval period would become a beacon of culture during the Renaissance Perhaps mote than the Early and High periods the Late Medieval period experienced the worst disasters and dizzying highs. Inthe 1th and 15th ceuies, a series of events that have come to be known a the criss ofthe Late Mile Ages oceuted. Aside from conflicts like the Peasants’ Revolt, Hundred Years War and the Wars ofthe Roses, natural disasters ike the Black Plague and Great Famine ravished mach of Europe effectively hating ‘advancement in places like England for many years ‘The warm peried that Europe had been enjoying was coming to an end inthe Late Medheval patiod, giving way to what is known as the Lite ce Age This opin temperature had an adverse affect on cops, causing the Great Famine of 1157, but this was a small Incident ‘when compared o what was t come afte, As the world was thinking it had recovered from the devastation ofthe Plague of ustnian. 3 treater moral disease known a the Black Death ‘descended on Europe. Prom 1346-53 the pandemic ravaged much ofthe Bast and Purope ‘Beginning on the anid plans of Asia, the disease quickly spread along ‘he Sill Rond to Crimea where it vas then spread to Europe ina ‘matter of years, Disagreement is stl rifle about precisely how the bacteria was transported, ‘wheter it came on infected fleas traveling on rats or was an atbore contaminate spread through coughs and sneezes. What ‘s known undoubredly however, 1s that che death toll was catastophic ‘with the highes estimate placing the ‘number of dead at 200 milion. Whole populations were almost wiped out with cts lke London, Florence and Siena losing upto 60 per cent oftheir populations. The econemic damage that followed als destabilise counties, as with 3 lack ‘of workers trade pries sky rocketed. Rulers sought to try to contol these prices but ultimately ale ‘with rbelions like the Jaequere in France and the Peasants Revol in England a direct result ofthis price tampering ‘To auld to thelist of problems in Europe, the Reformation saw one ofthe binding materials of ‘Western society the Cahole Chute, ripped apat. Disilusioned with increasing coruption in the ‘church Martin Luther, a German priest, started the spit when be wrote his Ninetyfve Theses in 1517 These were alist of grievances against the attacking practices such as indulgences, wuld pay money tothe church in exchange for less ime in purgatory when they lied. Influenced by the humanis teachings ofthe Renaissance that encouraged the challenging of the status quo Protestant theology began to disagree with the Catholic theory of the Eucharist. The two ‘ereaminations clashed on whether you actually ingested the blood and body of Christo whether ‘wat a notional, spinal fering, In eeponse to this Challenge, the Catholic Church ofered a courier reformation atthe Coun of Tre, untent on stopping the spread of Protestantism. This caused Barope to fracture down the mil with most of northern Europe becoming Protestant Whi southern Europe remained Catholic ‘The everraging battle between Christian and Muslim forces was also stil ongoing inthe Late Medieval period. The Ottoman Empire would rise An age of darkness and light to become a dominant power, effectively ending the Eastern Roman Empire wit te capture of (Constantinople in 1453 by Mehmed I and his fearsome artillery. As Christendom lost is hold ‘on Anatolia, gained a firm fotingin Spain wth the end of the Reconquista an the capture of Granada in 1492. With Isabella of Castile marred to rinand Il of Aragon, the modern mation of Spain was be In the same yea, Chilstopher Columbus se sail ‘on the Santa Maia and reached the Bahamas in the New World. This discovery would pave the forthe age of eiscovery, and soon ere rivalry oul consume the major Buopean powers they sought to build empires As well asthe New Work. the increasing dominance ofthe Ostoman Empire in te Basten Mediterranean encouraged the Christan ations of rope to find alterate trade routes, Portuguese salts would soon chart the coasts of Afric, cliscovering sea route to India in 1498 that put them in diet competition with Spain ‘The Late Medieval period saw populations ebb and flow Wit increasing urbanisation, many Buropean and Middle Easter cies began to boast, populations of more than 100000 a sign that urban environments themselves were becoming ‘ents of government and leaning. father than being based around an individual as had been the ‘casein previous periods. The worl in this period ‘woul ook more recognisable to us today, as we begin to se the birth of modern nations such as Spain, Portugal. France and Grea Britain Origins of the PCE eee tes eee eect inspire a revival of European art? 7ene ang an Ue INVASIONS & . EXPLORATION © S The Medieval period was filled with intrepid explorers, bloodthirsty tyrants and legendary warriors ei alr O78 A ey Cages peer i 3 tren Lhe ener etre ee eed rc Eyer pgenreney eh ss took moe tan a decade o taining E74] Pier Ln ian eters erry mic eT Cc Sond Poe eee pecorerrre etn] ere20 Wars, invasions & exploration Medieval arms and armour Heavily armoured and riding on horseback, knights were wealthy, respected and capable of delivering death with an array of devastating weapons fen Medieval times was rarely peaceful, It ensured knights would be considered an E Pand with many wars raging throughout honoursble ete class of warrior with strong the lengthy period, was necessary to connections to nobility. But they were expected to have a large group of robust fighters whos could carty out campaigns and defend property, or thei lords when ne Atte top end ofthe scale chivalry, which sloughed edges. iployed at great expen: They fought terifying bates on horseback let from the vices ina model period. with their weapor ‘of government known as feudalism, sonic as the centuries hi Four fearsome weapons ok up the fight Buti ark the Medieval Halberds offered Lor thrusting power rapi Faber compris a ng, sharp wooden le together vith an axe Bade ard ae wed prseriestrom _couldlease up toa daze rows pe minut, devatabng hel hoses The sft could be eiforced wth metal. theeneny, partly nthe Hundred Years Wa. _—_—_— Morning stars The arming sword rudely awoke was essential osring stars were fearsome weapons which bre eights would rely ave without ther swords, making Sinaies woth mace, on wh the sal nabs repaced them among the most common Medel wenpos. Hugely ito the face ores of he ener.Peep iy shining armour be wr overs sheen elec thet we ndtcture meant they Lon; andablaseofup © apd ge ‘urea poplin {helt Matera ped ene oe pe Tok pans aly. al arms and armour Helmet Incoing the but, the Coveney toscebeter when he want ened throat fom werd ees te ‘onring the oo, the Beate an enemy weapon and whe tel our ad wae paced by DMeieval peri retard fuse Rerebrace over the pp ams Sensi prod overage shoe the oe ‘ele aon dene Covered the ower atm and een the teste nthe retrace protec te amp Cuisse This armoured pate was wor to protect the hgh sane ig French ferangh they pce the ‘oper eg. Continent sles tended rotten rm the rn ween yp elses tended o prtect the ‘ire ih etnaHow to capture a Medieval castle From demolishing walls to starving out defenders, a siege in the Middle Ages required innovative tactics, stamina and determination 2les were the power bases of the Medieval wold, Occupied by kings nobles and knights, defeating one strongholds wasnt e35y To aly bing one down a slid strategy was a must, Fist. the attacking force would need to oocupy the surrounding lands and diplomacy failed, an atta resot to inmidaten by seizing pillaging the locality. fa white lag w forthcoming the siege would offically begin. Prior the force’ intentions. After this notice was heeded. the castle wouki be restocked wth weapons and ready to weather the coming storm, fee many ways to ty and break down ‘the fortifications. An expensive yet destructive wooden siege g from long range treba metal-cappe battering rams, a castle could be engines. Ran How to capture a Medieval castle Five bloody isrcet BS (toy Rianne itary muscle. Livestock, timber, tools ad provisons would also be aired. camp ‘vas et up a safe distance from the castle and reparations would begin. Meanwtl, the defenders made preparations oftheir own. Usually, a scarched earth policy was ‘implemented. This would deprive the surrounding area of any arable lad to plunder significantly Gepleting an advancing army avalable resources. This involved doing major di ‘the defenders gwn land, but twas worttile sfithelped preven a siege. Inside the caste ‘men would be armed and stores restocked in anticipation of wit wast follove Sega castle ‘was an imposing and frightening prospect ane required inventive strategies, plentiful resources, 4 stely determination and 3 hefty sce of hick. Ready your manganels and prepare for battle. 23Wars, invasions & exploration Choose your _ Siege tower ‘These towering structures were weapons deadly in the Medieval era With money to bum anda realm to conquer, barons would splash out on the biggest and best siege engines available —J Protecting the soles we they were it at te gates ‘he awbege wal be Mang ‘penal he any would ou Oe sag Was the arownes fhe daw, fc woul elton ey et oles ot in sige, or the best possible chance of victory during a slege inthe Middle Ages, huge siege engines were financed to bring death and destruction upon Three a fortess and its inhabitants. These imposing _machines rumbling into view could even frighten ‘Thetage the teers would castles into submission before an arrow was fave the veo tak Whe rocked Different siege engines were useful against teopsecton peered verte lifferent types of castles so commanders would walls theme howe more purchase what they needed depending on the aaa terain and defences they were ging face AS Nanos he upvc cases were often but with sieges in mind, many ‘were surrounded by moats and steep climbs, [twas also important to take a range of siege engines to keep the attack varied and eentess. For example, siege towers could soak up arrows And keep the defenders a bay while trebuchets and battering rams did damage to other part of te stronghold To ensure their machines would last and be as efective as possible, barons would Ich ede onthe sige ower towers ere fen covered in source the best builders and cols tocreate their adder eb So annatic mtratsch x ‘wooden army, Sige tnes ere Sina eto pt on weryerpnane tnd a Ammunition arintensive 0 a ‘Using the counterweight mucweter tren trv ks ore ‘Soom is eed Inet Lies we ‘ownsone asd ee, Sherine Deru eves sites wuld ‘mn ods wee ao tess wold ‘hacked the castle teint iahbtane Dimensions Am Gt) gh ope e ‘one ee a ah Lf (ences tepanse Asvel bang fective weapons thi ‘many feteatons ‘fn bate rams cul be used rege mst or ete ‘hina ig tower Now cover a pt ‘ntact tp (fa lager echo the am wuld ng ‘fahiliomliy tee ‘down tesa alls whe troop teed teens, ‘ie opel ettlements 2How to capture a Medieval castle tactic Trebuchet ca pt Prior to the age of cannon, these were eng oon nn the most forbidding siege engines of Sena enine ects et the Medieval era system The uoram pth tect an eset ‘tt 8 GS ng. the Hl treet wae a mont of : ‘These ofa weighed syste ater than Medieval siege wae Vina f ve the buch an aan ‘ange fb 20005 (500. ‘nos spiced ote Medieval i Batterin; Seocatienaesite L| ie Perey Sega pet ie A \ catapults espe us imposing igure. aWars, invasions & exploration Launch the attack When negotiations failed and intimidation proved futile, siege was the only option Getting a siege under way wasnt just a matter ofloading up the engines and fring the first projectile. Depending on the forces available and the Iyout ofthe castle each attack would begin diferent, Most of the ume, though, attackers ‘would first attempt psychological warfare by launching severed heads ito the castle. Then, the fst target would be a weak point ofthe wall In response defenders batricaed their weakest points an increased attacks on the most potent siege engines. The key to a successful siege was continous attack, as a break in hostities woule ‘ive defenders time to repair damage Also ‘ong siege eqs ore a he a ‘ding pr Renrcements were neces for ong rawiout ge when ‘rgue and body counts oul bea oo ‘much foranatcsngfoce to handle} “ 6 essential was topping supplis reaching the castle, ‘reventing the artival of weapons and resources, [he breakthrough stil didnt come, aggressors ‘Would spread cut their attacks. Castes were often ‘undermanned, so attacking from al angles could ‘overwhelm ther. If this sl didnt work, was ‘ime to get creative Mining was a common way of setting in toa caste wine staying out ofthe line of fie Sieges could take months or even years, but Stackers could offen watt out for longer than ‘defenders I the castle supply lines were cut of it ‘was only a matter of time before malnutrition and then starvation set in, ft sed in the ance eat ha Been See higher wal wie ams a sens steel 7 {ps forme penton f Mina ig SALTS Siento 4How to capture a Medieval castle ainvasions & exploration SS Cryer er eo SS erence) Reales Teyaaa Take the castle How to capture a Medieval castle With the outer walls down, it was time to storm the courtyards and break into the keep ‘When the walls were overrun and bodies lay stew around the bale, the Keep, the centrepiece (ofthe castle defences. was the ony thing tha stood inthe way ofvctony Some keeps were ‘merely the central building, but many bad defences oftheir vm. They could contain arow loops and crenelations to help with the lst-ditch defence ofthe castle. As the atacking soldiers sathered inthe bal, they would be vulnerable to arrow fie Only pate armour stood any chance agains the power ofa crosbow bol so soldiers with chain mall would be in danger unt the Jeep was breached, The keep would also contain the castle's stores so inthe event ofa seg, the population were best placed to ty told out foras ong as possible Wit the keep the only structure now occupied by the defenders, the _atackers could beneft from controling the ther Duilngs inthe castle. The armoury cou be pillaged for extra weapons and tools and after the sege ended, stores could be raked and arses taken from stables to bolster the army forthe next assault The defence ofthe hep was always a ast resort and usually meant victory for the aggressors. (Once the caste was taken twas up to the attackers to decide the fate ofthe castle ruler eis ‘depended on how mercless they were. When the enemies had all ben dealt with there was a ‘chovce tobe made: ule the castle and make & the ‘centre of anew occupied kingim, or raze ito the ground and lex the run stand as an example ‘of what happens when a castle puts up resistance. ther way the next siege is most ikey not too far aay. Pack up your tebuchets!30 Wars, invasions & exploration How to train as a knight BECOMING AN ELITE CAVALRY WARRIOR TOOK MORE THAN A DECADE OF TRAINING MOUNTED WARRIOR ‘Across much of Medieval Burope, the Feudal Shield system of grants of land made in return for Sr as service held sway Kings gave vast areasto their inthe eat of eonfed ate, athe ‘wealthiest nobles in return fr military support. iahts ecratve cat of arms ‘Similarly those nobles gave smaller pots to Lance lower lords, who ultimately renteditto peasants Sone ur maiesin to farm, Yet while kings ae higher nobles le ha tt ‘wore strangers to bat it was those lower or usin, bats Jord or knights, who were the tre warrior spend exci dass, Tet fighting sls were so valued that Armour they were often ransomed ifcaptued in combat. Swan iacaamaraieeer ‘Small wonder, then that acquiring those sks lly tect, Te bse ee took years of determination and dedication. ‘ete he edger ser oo HAT YD Zo WHAT YOU'L fone a NEED na eser & ‘earn ncn FE ems aos is hate for outs Fr war. Whe its not unkieatd of for sans of aly peasants to Around the age of seven, young bays take on the role "eto knighthood, thelp getly to be bor of noble, of page to alerd. As one oul begin to lea sil ike ‘wealthy stock Offspring of ory knights with anes to archery aonry and of couse horsemarshin. as well being ‘expensive horses and equipment have all the advantages yet taught chivalry te codesby which a knight shoul ve you willstlt have to prove yourself werthy ofhonour inthe Importantly play with wooden swords subtly teaches you the ‘daunting years ahead vital raft of swerdsmanship, Ve (orateHow To Train As a Knight 4 FAMOUS... ORDERS OF KNIGHTHOOD XQ ¢ > ~ SS Service for knowledge (]/ Tac sPerenticeshin gets rea cue he ee ee lance on wooden horses bt non Youre ‘ake his ‘nlive ones Those herses need tending, educating yu. though, and that’s one and weapons. Smart squire they serve in tourmamene along weh deaningarmour youre finding out fisthand, One of te hashes kssons fall mplenty watching the knight _oflife and death, cannot be escape. Whether vaunted ings cr Yechell have oblitons co. fling squires, people ci on bts THEORDER OF THEGARTER THEORDER OF THE GOLDEN FLEECE ead swear cats to eect the kiana to act aoe on your should and you hear the ueasued ‘word Arse Sir Knight” : avery combined with your align 3Alfred the Great Warrior, scholar and king of the Anglo-Saxons, Alfred led a great crusade to unite his kingdom and rid it of Viking invaders 82 nthe dak and foreboding lndscape ‘of th-century England, the Anglo ‘Saxon civilisation, which had eae the Bish sks home for 400 years stood ‘on the brink of collapse. Fierce warriors escenced on English shores ftom dragor-headed longstups looking for plunder and bloodshed. Chien hdl close to their families inside their ‘hatched long hal, fearing the panicked screams of terifed neighbours - the calling car of these merciless raiders. The Viking invaders were not satisfied with just crops or gol although for rural formers ike the Anglo-Saxons this was bad enough. They wanted toni and bale te IRE 2 lined in the Anglo Svan S people hemseles and destoy AAAI esc of fast Ares in 865 SS thal gna soc. wih the ads Stoves of these nied AS aaherArgloSixon Kingdon: EERE anc bloody warnors hod RS divided orconaiered Wesex REDS ENE reused in is fathers court NS (The Kingdom ofthe West. ier: Sn was widely fen that S ‘Saxons) stood alone against ae i ue a ez they were undefeatable, Alfred nS thsunsoprbie menace tA. igre is yeas ining srasin tis beak ad embed AE socttis ancestors and numins wor that King Aethebwul wife Osbuth gave birth to their fifth son in an unremarkable Berkshire village in 849. CE. They named him alfred and he would change the fortunes of the Anglo-Saxon cause forever. Aled was forced to grow up quickly earning the ways ofan Anglo-Saxon warrior. He was aught to i, hawh unt ate, mest important, howto efor himeelf witha shield and kl with a sword ‘The family he grew up in wasa closet group and, in keeping with Anglo-Saxon families atthe time, many generations ofthe same kin ved Under one rot and the elders passed down thet knowledge to the young. While Alfted sav the practical essons he was kaing from his father's warriors asa dy is rea interests layin the scholaly works his father engrossed himself in. He particulatly enjoyed poetry and one story involving {his passion showed an unrelenting determination ‘that would follow him into adulthaed His mother hha promised one of her five sons an iuminated book of Anglo Saxon poetry for the first one of ‘them who could memarise the text of by heart, ‘Alf could not read, so he found a teacher and ‘made him repeat evry line inthe book until he had it completely memorised. He won his prize and proved to his family that when he wanted something he would gti Boyhood games and poetry recitals came toan abrupt end when a Viking = Nii, ‘game had taught him anything it was that no enemy was indestructible The Inage Viking war host led by the fearsome ‘warriors Halla and iar the Boneless, invaded ‘Northumbria, looted York and then turned bac to East Anges. The host captured the king of East, Angles, Edward. and ina display of power killed Jn n'a ritual scifice to thet pagan gods. They renamed Eawards realm East Angla before tuning ther attention to Wessex. quickly taking the smal town af Reading in 870, ‘There was it doubt Areas ming thatthe terror and destruction the Vikings ad wrought across the other Anglo-Saxon kingdoms would be brought to Wessex, He and his older brother ‘Aethelred set out to meet them in open comb,Alfred the Great ‘As the Vikings crashed down onto them they were slaughtered on the shields and swords of the Anglo-Saxons" scholarly skill ‘was unmatched in the British Isles, He could speak and read Latin andestablished ff the first school for the nobility / mi34 Wars, invasions & exploration Warfare during leds el was ot forthe fant of heat ates od thousands of ferce wars tay ling eich other wih sors anes, maces or ny other sharp objet hat came to ard ‘muncontoled melee Gatefold woud ‘nwt Hood the vir eines thei [ze of cops, lot an saves fom the feel pope. The AngoSann tate offing a shield walt protet ee rrr game ncomng mises we arta ffecove t epng the slsers Ses they could cose for hand o- and comb, but fects were tad ain aly modie fete he Vigs. ‘tho speck sroundng the enemy ‘qc Ared was amare hs probe Shdof te rele weiner of musterng 3 fuse and at tne elacant community tt setlements to stave ff encoaching ‘ira He ordered a iden A Seon navy with beer sion tan the ‘iar andthe constuction of system offs throughout Wessex known 35 burs talon ns wars ffectvely ‘defend thelehomes fom the lvaders He ‘at eu respond to freien iets a more qu than the hapless lel yor Si ea meant tht he Vikings cous to orga am nd and ladehip over he eos they congue, alow Aes © ‘aol tis old oer hi ov Kom king Aad rd Metab nets is ‘frome mtn main ‘tere ema ‘ly the Pap He SSospenar mente es annie cart chner eB leas abouts peste mobilised men to serve i heir army and after days of marching they met the Vikings on a rdge near Ashdown. The Vikings were surprised bythe hottlooded aggression of Altes he attacked uphill = lke a "wild boar, according othe chronicler Bishop Asser - tearing into the Viking lines and ‘causing them to retreat while his brother was still ‘prayer It was said afterward thatthe field was “covered in bodes" After years of plundering the Vikings had finally met thei match, Tare setches of Wessex were Soon under Viking conto Ie was tring these blak days of 871 that Aethelred died and Aled claimed the throne of his embattled kingdom. He knew he could no longer defeat the Vikings and ‘attempted to pay them off afording the realm Some respite, but the raids soon continued, 50 in 76, be lacked swords with his greatest adversary, the Viking chieftain Guthrum, at Warebam Ina slege that involved Aled using longships of the Devset coast ta block the Vikings’ escape rate to the sea, Guhrum was defeated and made to swear an oath of peace to Alifed on a ring of the Norse battle god Odin. In an act that Alfred ‘would never forget Guthrum went back on his ‘word, murdered Alfeds emissaries and inflicted a crashing defeat on Ales forces a Chippenham diring 3 Cristian feast day It was an act designed to eafirm Guthrums fierce commitment to is warrior gods Defining moment Battle of Ashdown 8 January 871 CE ‘ied ie kon lg postions st {hoa ese sine Weer witht $m al ase he ny nyo ne vin. Aled ids ae ‘Sncsnd bomen The pent Yrevirgrnseh eaivimt, hremer eral denen es'© Geert fa pata te ig and ‘hat eaves hunies end but eventual Aled pretals andthe Viking host eres asta Theale Achown Aled fst vey. Dan my Re (advo tere see {stew rca Sawoyesonng ‘there ard der Mies etantelas the true cros fehethe ving ore bf he Bones ns ora Ona oce| ing they amet ‘evan ge Fomenshingrsance Alted barely escaped with his fe, most of his ‘men hae en Killed orcapcured bythe Viking host and it seemed that all was lost. He ran into the ‘marshes and spent the next few months evading capture, eventually holing up ina peasant’ house A story was written in ater chronicles that he was so consumed by the threat to his kingdom that ‘when asked to watch over some cakes by peasant woman his mind wandered and they burned. The woman ‘admonished him, saying “Look Alfie triumph was Conn ta ere, man, you hesitate to turn cekbroted throughour Wessex, MGUSTETSAMESRMCSTI | the loaves which you se to be Dut it was tobe shorlived Peet cMMtnem burning, yet youre aute happy “The Bate of Ashdown was ie POA cxtthem when they come followed by defeat after defeat imapiece of what oc ‘than punish her, Alfie was sid to have acted humbly. The tale not only showed how far the king haa fallen bt how his troubles had vw affected his character, Rather than surrendering his kingdom, Alfred tathered his warriors around Southampton and ‘sed guerra tactics to turn the ables on the ‘aides until be could nal them down to one las engagement at Edington. twas the greatest bate of Ares career. The moment was capered by ‘one of his scribes “Then the band of bald men was quickly made ready, men brave in bate ‘warriors marched out, Dore banners of victory [1 beroes beneath their helmets atthe break of dawn, the shields resounded Jouely’ Guthrum fad a huge charge into the Anglo Saxon forces oping to smash Alfred and his men Timeline te (Qirthot warrior @iirimage to Rome ‘ied bon ‘fedgpeon ‘amage Borate. ppamape too (eariagete @atlaagaintivar © Allredicmade ‘sient the Boneless helapparent| mare Save ‘nai‘with one bold gesture Rather than rete, lfted ‘was deteined to stand his goune: there could ‘be no more defeat. He ordered his mento forman impregnable shield wall ane as the Vikings crashed down onto ther they were slaughtered on the shields and swerds ofthe Anglo-Saxons Alfred then led a charg int their camp at Chippenham and made “great slaugheer among them unl they retreated into thet fortress and were “bought tothe extreme depths of despair” Trapped and starving. Guthrum was forced to surendet. ‘Guthrum and his Viking army retreated from ‘essex for good but this dd not mean they ‘were out of England asa whole. The Vikings had established settlements in East Anglia and "Northumbria and were becoming neighbours rather ‘than raiders Alfred saw this and in an act that showed his ken intellect he forced Guthrum to ‘convert to Cristianty and became his gather ‘By doing this he ensured an oath of allegiance that would guarantee Mercian King called Ceolvul, who died at some Point after 880, but Alfred’ roe in his deaths Unclear. Any invvernent would have stained his reputation as Englands Watling’ since London at the time was an Anglo-Saxon settlement Whether London was captured or acquired. the city was brought under Alfred's control in 886, ‘The symbolism of this act. along with his edost daughter marrying Aethelied, the lord ofthe Mercans, und al of Anglo-Saxcn England ina tenuous peace By 880, age had begun to ceep up on Alfred, He suffered fom crippling stomach pain and twas sapping his strength, along with the complexities of trying to rlea disparate group of setlements in his own kingdom and remain the most influential ‘man in Mercia. Despite this, he continued baling his reaim by enlightening his subject, He translated a numberof volumes from Latin ‘to English, including The Boclesiastical ‘History OF The English People and ines lrg. The Itis widely Ghee beets Psa Cr Viking tet didnot disappear =e ‘ich structed shops on Ut alter thet defeat t Edington Carne dues Ales conrbuton and as. wartor, Alfred knevr Alfred suffered from | SIeeated tha anatackon wessex could (LCUIURRTRSESRUISEIM Enalsh church earned him Tppen atany une Hebuit up AACR ARESREIM such econition that his most his defences and esabished a build and ongoi commited floes sought 0 sytem of os to help protect uildand ongoing aid the countyside heals instead QUEM in 609, lire ded aged 50, new laws based onthe Bible, which passingon a secure and powerful ‘consolidated is grip on pover. His most decisive act during the years after his victories was the consoldation of the rest ‘ofthe Angle Saxon kingdoms uncer his leadership, Reasoning that one kngtiom united was stonger and more able to resist foreign invasion than a divided land with divided interests. Alfred targeted “London, the most mpertant trading tow in the ‘whole of England London was contrelled by a Defining moment ‘Mter Ving narsion at Wareham in Dost etd the igen Gum sss ‘Aled an premises to withdraw hs foes Mera Ne seas hi pomie lyn ofthe Ving a (tin nad of honouring his Hedge the warn ‘9 Grhrum beays Ate ar exapes eases foring Aled eno the countyie The ANB ‘Sean cronies spat oa eps bt wary ad ool fed seking seer wh peasants. ‘RS war bat and destroys Aled aa Capen, dynasty to his son Edward The Anglo-Saxons would remain dominant in England fr the next 167 years, uni another great invasion in 1066 led tothe investiture ofa Norman, Icing named Wiliam Alfred had secured this lsacy ‘with is bravery, wartor skills and politica savy. Anglo Saxons remembered him as England's shepherd, England’ darling history honoured him with afar grander ile - Alfred the Great. Defining moment The Battle of May 878 CE Inthe rl cf Ace: conf it {hy cat ant mone ae ‘hebath vate swat male Aes Ton ht esr wt er on eV acre mtbr ulti. Cries inen em sone shel na mn Stedy ang Sao smi sn ogee hy hh a {Tolga ees nn wes cer ‘ryan pemes ts Vas w cpa vey ‘Satan he osname Alfred the Great Asociety Kinship and lords “ango-Snon soy was dominated by tends of honour an yy to kn rus in inva setemerts around the county, 2nd ‘the tenuus fey these goupe swore tthe bly aa he ng Invaded land “The Ang azo themsaves wore maders ofthe tien ee. The Arle sd Saxon ‘ober erighated from Germany snd Denk nd erable stuameres aos: England, ‘Subjugating the ative Beton. nthe ie of ‘ed, eS hull sted i ean ‘ad were now uncer test onthe Vis. barrier Inman was; Be Bs es were ‘esmopoitan alec offerte, ‘fuhom pate a mmber of angges 2 ‘iets. The Ane Sato, Nase Cele and {Gon ngage combined together dng hs period foo the base of what We now know sth Cais guage Divided religion “There was ro dorrat regen in Europe urna hs eid Cesta was becoming ‘wceprend bt varus fms oF apni Feld nay nary nds cute Bes ‘and scandraven lrgsons The Ago Sos tad overt oC in 6 and veered tothe ving von a the heathen mason” Warrior: ery te’ Arlo Stxon male cul be called po to ig tay te by his rein the Fy ‘ray. These grouns wou often be poly ‘equpped as indi wars hd to am {hemscves andi tok tong lsdeeip to (crowned ing Sere dato owed ing of Wess. mre ees aan thera aa of frat ed Nes ter Bkpatence etestyotWedmore Agito the ied prespeaceieay " tw eros the vires col of est Jrgia othe conion thing Sun ie re fay reaped oa te Vita mee ‘treds me pty, Pope Areca presents tenor haste ‘one sa thr tang Saves fem ‘ers teases to Wee tora. Sire ands cout omer seace ep these nnd baes together ‘etondon berated © Thelaw codes ‘Miedieccanee! ° Arscyng tn Grlencon rows Aled preset Sospeaston —— fonwlingsom ‘schimayfove ecto af ws Invade pt og ina Stgetotiewren “ems boo win egonedetro had on Con Gonaceont” tach rom te Sing son Sie eet feta by akg awetostrengon Tiemeatimpetant — elvbence ne toinectynte et Ange Sion eae, tasers 90 ‘aes N89 eo ‘on rs eae Gemnaneptyee off tteteeAngioson | Tgtonein ergs 5 Helerememberedae | ‘ooce |6 en Vikings ruled the waves Portrayed as bloodthirsty pirates, pillaging innocent villagers, Vikings also ruled the waves with a lucrative trade network fe great white sail racked as the vieious Atlantic wind lashed against but stil the ship sailed on. Long and sleek the watship, crafted frm mighty ak, crashed through the vsaves,seng a sharp spray of water across the eck. The men inside rowed a ane their mighty ‘muscles straining as they phunged the oars deep lito the water and drove the ship award ‘hough the turbulent waves, The strength alone bought the ship to land and they poured out onto ‘the beach. Dressed in thick woolen tunics, the warriors sere armed wit an array of sseapons, fom long sharpened spears to hefty battle aes, With a booming vice one ‘man yelled othe others, ‘hrusting his sword into the ai, and the ret bellowed in response ‘Then onward he ran, as the united force ‘Oundered uphill against the blowing wind. Their destination? A coastal monastery busting ful of fol, gems and hefty food supplies pe forthe ‘aking, and only a collection of quiet unassuming ‘mons to protect it Ths age of monstrous invades laying sege i monasteries and pillaging them of ious tess the fst one tat laps to ‘mind when many are confonted with the word Trey “king. The portrayal ofthe Norse tribesmen as rapists and pillage is o prevailing tat its often forgotten thatthe word Viking itself means to goon ‘an expedition. I's easy to fal int the assumption that these people were nothing more than pirates ‘aking from those too weak to defend themselves And it undeniable that this happened: the ‘Viking invaders sate from Scandinavia to coasts of the Beis es and beyond. invading villages and monasteries, killing the inhabitants and stealing ther riches It spoken about in first-hand accounts and its stil being evidenced today inthe reams of Viking hoards discovered from anxious townsfok who hurried to hie their riches from the merciless invades However, this ony ells alf the story Two things powered the Viking civilisation: the vicious raids theyre famous fr ancl something else trade Not only did Vikings set up new colonies sn the lands they invaded, but they alo created poireful trade routes that helped ther nation to become one of the most prosperous in the world For the majonty ofthe yea, the same Vikings who had pillaged the towns worked the land, {treesly tolling in the el, or creating in and valuable omaments and jewelery tof blossoming cilisation,>>. UY eT MLS CRE ROCA Pen eed _ Vicious Air Ne Ce Pree aid rire Cee Cog var the Boneless cian EIWars, invasions & exploration *. Viking voyages As expert ship builders, the Vikings were able to voyage further and wider than any civilisation before... Centuries before Christopher Columbus would stumble upon the land now known as America the Vikings had claimed the Atlantic Ocean as thet own backyard. They had mastered Russias river system and reached the Middle East their impressive voyages helped them ta become leaders of rapidly developing world and this new Vikingciviisaionthuved tacks MMOMEMMSIESMEIMS is pionerng spire them Saves i toihepomrcfasingecencn, MACACA othe asetc!Cosantinope Telewest Sane Cees CSM oo vince cnrc ice cond wena wasbuitsround bee shys ESMOND she ashy cy of Pas ee ‘eich were big ger and Peer) Denby the quest for trade faster than any before These Bas terror plunder and a his for ‘vaso had been perfected over ‘many yeas, wit the power to ‘rave the vicious storms ofthe lant ‘Ocean, but also the sleek construction to slam through shallow ves. These powerful and ecient ships enabled the mighty passengers to ‘rete colonies allover the worl, and the building ang maintaining of these vessels became the bass of Viking society. ‘Vikings were using thelr mighty sea power to trade around the coast of Europe wile the Bish Empire was merely a colection of scattered ‘kingéoms unable to defend ther shores The ‘Viking sailors wore aware that it was often easier to take the same journey by water rather than Jana with some journeys taking five days by sa, ‘compared fo a month en land, and they used this to their advantage Longer voyages were camied cut by those settling n ange and exciting foreign lands, and the ‘Viking civilisation spread to leand, (Greenland and even to Canada and [North Ameria. ‘The image ofa Viking longboat crashing ‘through the waves with is fece dragon figurehead and ts fog, sleek curves is certainly an inspiring one, but for those onboard, fe was rot quite so glamorous With ro shelter, at night the sas used the sail as a makeshift tent that ‘they would sleep under shivering beneath blankets ‘or animal skin sleeping bags. The only sustenance ‘would be dried or salted meat with wate, beer sour milk to drink The sinking of vessls was no reat tragedy, but rather expected on long journeys Tere would be no rescue sent as usually nobody ‘knew about sunken ships for weeks, months or even years, was not unusual for any numberof ships to go missing on voyages acoss the brutal ‘Atlantic Ocean, When Enk the Red travelled 0 GGreenlan. only 14 of his original 25 ships managed toarive safely 8 However, twas the determination and hardiness ofthe voyages willing to ake these sks that led the Vikings to valuable and exotic teasures| Woollen sail and trade ying along the coastlines of the world. _tengshps etre Toward the end ofthe th century, Viking one squat sa pou ten mets ‘voyages besan an invasion of England that would forever determine the fate ofthe island nation. By B60 ty made fom woo hough no sas have adventure, the impact ofthese historic voyages can stl be felt around the world today. Wooden hull Alling ships weremade nthe Same wa sg planks foak oF pre ‘teed and male together The ships store ten nr al made wari ‘jung ted wales as ‘of the gaps bexween the pans Theft ofthe pws fen decorated tha carving ofan anal ead, usally 2 urd ete removable and would oly be tap when the sip wasapreactng a 5 {hey rake ey damage whe cateWhen Vikings ruled the waves 8rt} pre TMC arid Cad a Pura ore Nomonaster pata that swept over the land from be pone T ved nthe dead of night the darkness nis hands numbly the ony ting he had bee ar tne hick tha the mens eo rescue before ing The vad Eee thairship unt ande on the shor twas eto al the rec ‘ae it the al knew to calor be zi inva run int the halls, aking nm en : England ai fer rn Lindstae Serta code Ener) he beginget he scourge cl perentens eit wild blond hai POUMESTENESO MAM | Viking ras These sporat nin vonaseape A |v wut cor erent eaten Ere rersmnrte noite) ps their bodies with a frenzied Tere ieiclie athen Army bi feo per ee ina Agi Ts Oe m ty capturing ties as they -raning and ove] een rte as only death wat aa nung thei ae aunched invasion 5 of el ner al and all over mainland Europe. These raids eve retched tothe Baltic Sea and Pe easons fo such rapid expansion ate hat n historians, with some belle red ay ater body was throw utl response tothe spread of ee ne he wath mt that the Scandinavian population had Sepelpicersie ease the igh cif the sex andhe wathed asthe grown oo age fo thet andor perhaps they wete ier aaneiected heathens set the hey walls lat with fame The the actions of men simply dawn by the tril of nad wee wl ith ai ed hot wind hed gant his face and robes inthe what the irvasions as flickering darkness He gasped a golden chalice g scar on those who lived 0 seeHow the Vikings raided 1 Preparation ings not tke haphazardly the rags wer planned down othe est target tack ong the coat whieh they knew precy. Because they ad the fret shige nthe word they woud Tue thee ack thot ny prise ming enssing tat no help cel each ther targets te Tomar the mid Sth entry these ack erated rest ests of 300-400 ps. ther horses ips wore designed to ow up ive but the target was some distance travel by hore, th no Rese on he hip they would ai nearby vlogs or rows. These woul beused to wanspet themecve and ther booty ve land 3 Surprise attack Theplous and humble rons didnot stand dred with super weapons The we tried Vinge wou tune 3 ce, lous attack an te monastery hg ‘heal men Some would be steppes prisoner ane ters can into thes 4 Loot and burn (Once the monks were deat with, Vikings pga at wt Tey plundered any alles they coud gether rds on Including food. but especialy precous recs. However they often nore the Valuables. Once they hd lated the bangs they Stet the monasteries fd the surrounding vilage ‘ape Lae down wth hee poner nd booty the Vlg woud ie Bac O thor ship, ad tom and iy Thay woul ter se the gl, ees and sacred tenes, nthe monk would oh 2 high pce the Epean sve mae, Helmet ‘Hair Armour NWurgaidntin Langharwas ashram they weeround Kweuldalsobe the average ae, Veh gustdsround Scptaeto stave St wold eter So theeresand nose enesharorw thee wee reserved ‘Thre eonlyone art lled ina only ortho comple Ving Ughtbun ea tee igh sas Trlmeeinerstence nape ofthe neck, Ordinary ings thes may ve Men woulda Maly ought een pasted down cry team wet thet Though ie” crentaces | creyy then thensoldfrscap. apdbeards = Malefom wot The attack on patter t Shoes ‘texters the wearers fot Seer the tort to sole socks fst Shield Tg wood such 2 ior ppt and ster ered ‘ound te ede. Roun sls could eas ge a {Boanin dameter, ‘ound to 90cm.Wars, invasions & exploration Moen worth? Po ROME ees 2 - RSE —_ =.pei eto traders? be Geraltsson as he is known Prorcapranaey ae Speaeearnn Sree test er ee Cte acces! eer rt ny posse tren metered cermin reenecaeerne Sern oebrestar eae Vikings were not powered by brutality but instead a complex and prosperous trade network Although raiding and pllaging provided a quick Intake of wealth, vas nota sable way to ive ort bul a cilisation Instead the Vikings decicated far more of their time to bulking up 3 prosperous nd powerful trading network. Because oftheir supevioe shipbuilding sls they were ale to travel fo trade in faraway lands, obtaining a host of exotic and valuable goods. Their specially designed trading ships were able to cary upto 35 tonnes of ago, including siver and even livestock Trading markets began to emerge along the west Bai Se in the mid th century where people came fom fr and wide to wade an array of goods. AS these markets Nourish, traders decided to settle permanently Jong the routes and the twansformed int trading towns, Birka in Sweden, Kaupang in [Norway and Heceby in Denmark I grew tobe prosperous and busting trading setements vith the inhabitant all working as craftsmen and merchants, Prosperous ring routes also emerged along the Bris Isles, with York and Dublin developing into maior As the trade boom increased the Vikings travelled further afield, acoss the Bali Sea along the Russian rivers They founded mere trading towns in Kiev and Nowgorod. The V traders even tas Istanbul the capital of the mighty npr actos the Black Sea, This pelous was one only dared attempt. through vicious rapids and battling hostile nanves, The Vikings continue their acing eed contelorsd nland, bringing their goods to Jerusalem da. The lure ofthe Sik Road and the ofthe Fast od to resis and Vikings met with traders from the Far East in thei trading centres in Russia trading fur and slaves for silk and spice ‘iver coins wer the most common form of payment, but this was unlike todays currency wre diferent coins are worth a particular vahie he coins were weighed in scales to determin hei value, thieis because alot of coins were relied down and crafted ito intricate and beautiful jewellery to rade on, The geat extent ofthe Viking rade network can be seen today in the hoards of site coins created in England, which have been found in Sweden, not © mention the 40.000 Arabic and the 38000 German iso uncovered there Nordic bowls Meeiteranean sil anc Batic axe heads have even been discovered buried under English si, ‘This vast and ilustrious trade nesverk atated a wealth of eager and talented artists and craftsmen. Viking bead:makers would import ass fom W spl dor ‘of amber from is into pendants and playing pec craftsmen transformed their imported bronze to ine omaments and mass proiced brooches, an ‘eer antiers col even be used to make delicate ani Deaf coms 43William the onqueror Discover how incredible battlefield courage and brutal treatment of his enemies led the bastard of Normandy to become king of England 1 January 1066, King Baward the Confessor of England passed away without a true hei. pon is deathbed, the dying ale hat bequeathed his throne tothe most Powerful man in the kingdom, Harolé Godwinson, Earl of Wessex. The day after the kings death, Harold received the acceptance ofthe English ‘magnates in London and was crowned, When word travelled acres the Channel to the mainland snd reached one ofthe most powerful nobles cof northern France, he Hew into a age Willam, Duke of Normandy, bollwed he was next in the line ‘of succession tothe English throne. Harold had stolen what {id not belong o him, soas the rightful hel, the duke would do ‘whatever took to aim what was is thus he wuld become Wiliam the Conqueror. 40 years eal in 1026, Count Rober ofthe Hiemos, Wiliams father, looked out the window of is room at Flaise Castle to see a young woman below walking alongside the River Ante. truck by her beauty the count ordered his servant to bring the ‘maiden to his becroom tht night Her name was Heleva, the daughter of a lower-class tanner. Even. Af the stories were true that the count Fell deeply in love with het Heleva never became mote than a concubine to Robert However, ther relationship became much more complicated the flling year on 5 August when Duke Richard Il of Normandy suddenly became ‘Mand ced, As Richards younger brother, Robert acted quicky to seize the duchy. With the support cong i Loans Tapestry, wh Coomera Cancer Pefertmenete Preece) ery ‘of several powerful Norman magnates, tdi not {ake long before fe became Duke Robert L Around ‘the same time, Hevleva found out she was with cll. By the end of 1028, Wiliam, the bastard son ofthe new duke, was bor, Since erleva ‘was a commoner, Robert cou not marry his ‘mistess. Therefor, the duke didnot immediately recognise his on, so Wiliam spent his fist ‘years at his mothers home in Guibray, Akhoush still unwiling to make Herleva his wife, Robert eventually gave her proper respect by ranging her marrage to minor noble Herluin de Contevile. She was ‘ven even more honour when her son was proclaimed as the ule’ egtimate her yer this also meant that Willam was Separated from his mother ata very young age and brought 0 live with is father atthe castle of False ‘At the age of seven, Wiliam ‘encured another traumatic experience ‘when his father ded while on a pilgrimage to Jerusalem in 1035, Lackly for Wiliam, Robert cdeverly took the precaution to have his nobles ancept his son asthe dual et to Normandy ‘before left om his journey. et the latest dake ‘was stil deprived of his parents fr the most par ‘with ite contact with his mother. which would hae left major impression upon his childhood Robert also appointed several close relatives, ‘usted advisor an loyal companions to take care ‘of Wiliam and sun the kingdom in his absence "These men, suchas Willams great uncle Robe the Archbishop of Roven lay fulfil thet oles and when it became clear that Duke Robert wasWilliam the Conqueror “Harold had stolen what did not flees to him, so as the right heir, the duke would do whatever it took to claim what was his’ vi——— Solid Engtish a. 4 the Engh nfntry eas infantry an cavalry. # fanc ay spread troupe the aman ant cote hay bleed ‘Witadbeen Sine et fan Bren espanseso tb Due ose tothe en wa fis eet acto never gong to return, they continued to do so unt Wim came of ge Yet it was surpesing that Duke Willam survived his adolescence. Archbishop Robert managed effectively rue the dukedor until his death in 1037, Afterward, Normandy devolved into anarchy as the aristocracy exploited the minority of the (uke to cary out blood feuds with rival families, ‘increase ther lands of even plot to remove ‘Willam to claim the duchy as thei own. Many of the ater group were members ofthe due's own farmly known as Richardies for their descent from the Norman Duke Richard L Because of thie ancestry, several ofthe ichardies belived their ‘aim tothe ducal throne was much greater than that of Willam the Bastard ‘As Wilam marured, he was of Hastings 1n 1046 and 1047 Wiliam faced the greatest, Ureat to hislife yet a the Richarddes carried out a fulliown rebelion. However, the young duke ‘ted quickly and effectively. William not oly ‘gathered his loyal vassal, but also reached out to his ord, King Henry Tof France and appealed for his help. Before long, Wiliam and Henry gathered a large enough force to confont the rebel army. Atte Battle of Vales Dunes in 1047, the King of France crushed the Norman dissidents, but Wiliam ‘would continue to suppress minor rewitsfo the next thtee years, By the eal 1050s, William was in his twentios and had not required the supervision of a regent for some time. Fee to act wich fll ducal author Wiliam quelled rebellions throughout Normandy and then began to look outward, Tis surrounded by violence as several ERPSPRR brought him ino cont not only fofhis guardians were murdered. In A MORASAAREEM with the formidable coun of Anjou Tate May 1042, the duke sept in he MRM Geofey I! Marte. but also with King caste of Vandre, To prec the IMAM Henry who besa to fear the srowins, duke, Willams steward, Osbern by ASSAASERMERERAE power of the young duke. Throughout beside him. Nether of them soe 8 br an assassin crepe ito the room and ‘stood over their bed. William woke to find the throat of his guardian slit open, As the young dake grew ‘accustomed to the deaths of those ‘loses o him, he himself managed to survive unharmed the vilen lashes Wiliam participated in t home and abroad the duke quickly began to build a reputatcn a afirce warrior capable (of leading rap assaults and laying cllective sieges In ation tales ofthe ‘brutality inflicted on these who crossed ‘hm spead tenor among his enemies, reborn tee coeeoiecad Saas formostof the ay Ae Engin cues ere ‘heed wal gaasy “dined soning ne Namanetostache ‘posed Engi als. Een when ac ne. rts ‘ough he wes tay (One of the most horifc instances of William's vengeance took place at Alengon in 1052, After his flied surprise assault onthe town, the ‘efenderson the wall yelled down insults about his ‘legitimate birth and beat animal skins with sticks to mock the fact his grandfather was. a tanner (ce he managed to break into the town, Wiliam, captured 36 ofthe men and punished them by ordering forall of ther fet and hands to be severed. For the rst of his reign, Wiliam continued to order similar mutilations cari out on his Worst enemies, however, his favoured punishment was imprisonment for soverl years; many times even fore Although nothing can excuse the tele actions ofthe dale, his bravery in war and deep devotion tw his dase frends and family allowed him to atact numerous loyal fllowers When his younget balFbrothers the sons of his mother, reached the proper age. Wiliam gave them land and prestigious titles. Odo became the bsp of Bayeux, while Robert was made the count of Mortan, Both men became staunch supporters of Wiliam and, together with other trustworthy lieutenants like Roger I of Montgomery and William FitzOsbern, they formed a tightnit group around the duke ‘who helped him greatly to achieve his goals. Yet ‘he most important relationship ofthe duke was with his wife Matilda, daughter of Count Baldwin V cof Flanders. At fist, the union was a mere suategcWilliam the ConquerorWars, invasions & exploration CRTC CR lien Coen reo Bata lees 2 allance with one of the most powesful magnates ‘of northern France. Howes, overtime the couple fell deerly in love. Wiliam remained completely voted to her forthe rest of his fe and even trusted her with some of the mest important positions in his lands ‘The increasing power of Duke Wiliam led to the Joint invasion of Normandy by his two majoras, ‘Count Geoffrey and King Henry in 1053 Divided in ‘two, the invasion forces fale tery as one army ‘was defeated at Mertemer and the other retreated in response. The rivals made another attempe in 1057. bu Wiliam crshed the alled army at the Batt of Varaville Within a few years the ‘campaigns ceased, for both Henry and Geaffey ‘ied. With his main adversaries gone and stably finally eached within his duchy, Wilam was no Jonge forced to defend his lands and was fee to ‘mon the offensive Shortly after the death of Count Herbert Maine on 9 March 1062, Wiliam led his fist major conquest ever the deceased magnate’ tritcry. The duke claimed that Herbert had named bim as his ei othe county so from that justification ‘William claimed the land afa vassal of his enemy, ‘the count of Anjou, by 1064, Two years ate ‘the duce made similar statements to justify the ‘conquest of a mich grester prize than the county cof Maine In either 1064 or 1065, Harold Godwinson al of Wessex crossed the English Channel and accidentally landed inthe tereitory of Count Guy of Ponthlea, Guy ordered is men to capture the wealthy Anglo Saxon noble and imprisoned him, along with his reanue, in the caste of Buran, ‘Once word reached Willam of Harolds condition, the duke immeclately seized the opportunity Wiliam forced his vassal. Guy, to release Harold bring the English ear to him. Once in his sty, Willan did all he could to manipulate Harold into helping him attain his mest ambstous prize the throne of England, Asa child, the king of England, Edward the Confessor, was forced to le his country and live ‘an exe n the Norman court of his uncle, Duke Richard Il Danish King Crut invaded England in 106 and eventually claimed the English crown, removing Ewards family ftom the succession Ten in 1042, Bavard was allowed to return borne 1d regain his birthright. the throne of England. 'A majr reason for the king’ retum asthe suppor given to him by the Powerful Godwin family of Wessex.In. J sratnude, the new king bestowed lands and titles upon Harold and his brother, this alliance was then strengthened consideraby in January 1045, when Bdward married rol’ ster Bait, thus making the two men brothers ila. Since Edward had family connections and oved huge debts to both William and Harold, both men beloved they should be the primary his ofthe od king who had no et ray ‘Wath Hapld held hostage, Willam attempted to use a combination of flattery and theets to get ‘the English magnate to net only accep his claim, bout also hep him ata tbe English throne upon ‘the death of the ageing Edward. Therefore Harold ‘accompanied William on his invasion of Brittany in 1064, and when they reurmed to Normandy, Harald swore an oath of fealty to Wiliam, Cetin he had achieved his goal, Wiliam let the Earl of Wisse return to his lan ‘Upon Edwar’s death, became clear that Hark made hie osth to Wiliam under duress and thus considered it completely invalid He also quickly ‘cemented his claim to the throne withthe support of several witnesses to Edward naming Harold ashi ber along with earning the election ofthe Wan, a council of English nobles. The English ‘may have accepted King Harold I but Wiliam did ‘ot William was certain that he al promised the throne to him; he ‘would not forget that fat. nor would helet the Engh ‘The station looked bleak for arold later in 1066, While Wiliam fathered a lrg invasion force and enormous fleet of 700 ships, King Harald Harérada of Nortay decided to explot the vulneraiity Jand and invade as well, However, Harold and his Anglo: ‘Saxon army managed to crush the Norwegians on 25 September atthe